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CORVALLIS - A dance company that features artistic expression by persons with and without disabilities will present a wheelchair dance performance on Monday, April 12, at the Majestic Theatre in Corvallis.

The performance by Light Motion, sponsored by several programs at Oregon State University, is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door with proceeds helping to offset the costs of the performance. The presentation begins at 7 :30 p.m.

Established in 1988, Light Motion is directed by Charlene Curtiss, a disabled dancer and performing artist who has been choreographing, performing and teaching wheelchair movement skills and dance for 14 years.

"One of the directives of Light Motion is to help disabled people discover the untapped, unexplored world of dance and artistic movement and to integrate the art of wheelchair dance with mainstream professional productions," Curtiss said.

Curtiss, along with partner Joanne Petroff, have given numerous presentations of integrated dance nationally and internationally. They have been featured on NBC's Today Show, ABC News, CNN, and numerous other media outlets.

Wrote one newspaper reviewer: "Dazzlingly agile, Curtiss performed the wheeled equivalents of double pirouettes and daring arabesques. The nifty, high energy piece...inspired spontaneous applause at several points."

Petroff is co-founder and artistic director of Whistlestop Dance, a Seattle-based performance and instructional modern dance company that works with adults, children and special needs populations.

Though Light Motion's performance is free and open to the public, seating is on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are available at Rice's Pharmacy, the Majestic Theatre, and the OSU College of Health and Human Performance (Women's Building Room 120). Requests for special accommodations should be directed to the office of Students With Disabilities at OSU, 541-737-4098, by April 5.

The appearance of Light Motion is part of OSU's "disABILITY Awareness Week," April 12-16.